Matrix



Patented May 15, 1934 UNITED STATES MATRIX Thomas L. McElroy, Brooklyn, N. Y., assigner to William T. Ball, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application December 15, 1932, Serial No. 647,458

9 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved matrix and the method of makingl the same, the object being to provide a construction which has a yielding surface as the mat is forced against a i form, but with the parts so formed and of such material that when the operation is completed the matrix will present a smooth hard surface ready for the casting metal.

Another object of the invention is to provide a matrix by using the usual mat now on the market consisting of a number of layers of tissue paper held together by a starchy paste, and subjecting the mat to a solution which hardens. when dried in a manner to cause a smooth l5 surface to the finished casting used in a printing press. v

An additional object is the method of forming the matrix through special steps to supply the mat with a hardening solution and later with a coating which receives the impression from a form.

In the accompanying drawing- Figure 1 is a perspective View of a mat of the usual commercial structure now on the market;

Figure 2 is a sectional View through a tank containing a solution embodying certain features of the invention, with a mat submerged therein;

Figure 3 is a sectional view showing the saturated mat being rolled to cause the solution to penetrate to a greater depth and to squeeze out any excess liquid;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through the mat shown in Figure 3 after the rolling operation;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing a coating applied to the mat;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 but showing two mats placed together face to face ready to be stored away or used, as desired;

Figure 7 is a view showing a form with the mat partly applied thereto;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through Figure '7 on the line 8 8.

' Referring to the accompanying drawing by numerals, 1 indicates a mat which is of the kind now commonly in use and consists of a number of layers of tissue paper held together by a starchy substance or adhesive, the mat being usually from .027 inch to .034 inch thick, though as far as the invention is concerned it is to be understood "that it could be thicker or thinner. As illustrated in Figure 2, there is prepared a tank 2 provided with a bath 3 which is a solution of lycopodium. This solution is usually composed of 1 1b. water (warm) to 4 ozs. lycopodium.

While these proportions are preferable they may be varied to a certain extent without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, 3 ozs. lycopodium could be used with 1 lb. water, or even 6 ozs. lycopodium could be used. 39

The mat 1 is then taken from a supply of mats and placed in the solution 3 and left there for a short time, for instance, from one-half minute to two or three minutes. After being subjected to this solution as just mentioned, the mat is then placed on a table or other suitable support, and rolled by a suitable roller 5 which squeezes the mat and causes the solution to penetrate to a greater depth, and at the same time dispenses with any excess liquid. The rolling operation may require that the roller 5'be rolled across the mat once or several times. After the rolling operation is completed the result is as substantially shown in Figure 4, namely, the solution has penetrated each surface so as to make treated zones 6 and 7. The mat is then allowed to dry until it is dry to the touch and may be left in this condition an indefinite time.

To complete the matrix, the vmat 1 is provided with a coating 8 of powdered lycopodium, but 80 before this is applied one surface of the mat is sprinkled with water or moistened in some other way, and then the powdered lycopodium is sprinkled over or otherwise applied thereto. Only a very thin layer is needed and as the powder touches the surface the mat will absorb the same and make a comparatively smooth surface. Where two or more mats have been thus treated, they may be placed together, as shown in Figure 6, and then stored away or used immediately, as desired. A

If it is desired to use the mat immediately to form a matrix, the two mats are moistened from the rear or while they are in the position shown in Figure 6. The moistening operation may be done by sprinkling or other means, but if preferred may be accomplished by confining the two mats between wet woolen blankets for half an hour or more, whereby the respective mats will be moistened throughout and the coating on the vrespective surfaces will be pliable, though not sticky. The mats lare then separated and both may be used or only one. For purposes of description the use of one will be described.

One of the mats is placed on the form 9 which 105 contains the type and other make-up matter to be printed. After the mat has been placed face down on the`form 9, the roller 5 is moved thereover once or more times as desired to press the mat tightly against the form and all the type and 1.10

other matter earranged therein so as to receive a perfect impression therefrom. After the rolling operation has been completed, the mat is stripped from the form and thus becomes a matrix.

This matrix is then placed in a scorcher of well known type and dried therein, the curve of the matrix being the proper curve to fit the cylinders of a printing press which is later to receive the casting. From this point on is old and well known, but to' make the matter clear it is to be understood that the matrix thus completed is to receive the cast metal in the usual way. In forming the matrix as just described the use of the solution mentioned and the coating 8 results in providing a pliable surface which will cause a perfect impression to be secured when the mat is placed against the form, and when the matrix is dried in the scorcher the surface will be comparatively hard and smooth so that the finished casting will have the type and other matter thereon in perfect form whereby substantially ideal results are secured.

The use of lycopodium also acts efficiently to prevent the face of the mat from sticking to the form when the mat is peeled from the form, thus leaving the mat in a desirable condition to act as a matrix.

I claim:-

1. A matrix of the character described comprising a mat body and a coating on said body of lycopodium.

2. A matrix comprising a mat body formed of a plurality of layers of tissue paper and starch, a zone on each face formed by a deposit from a solution of lycopodium and a coating of lycopodium on one of the surfaces of the mat body.

3. The method of forming a matrix consisting of subjecting a mat body to a solution of lycopodium, pressing said mat body after being sub-` jected to said solution, moistening one surface of said mat body, and then applying lycopodium in powdered form to the moistened surface until a coating is produced.

4. A method of producing a mat to produce a matrix, consisting in subjecting a mat body to a solution consisting of a proportion of one vpound of water to four ounces of lycopodium until the solution penetrates an appreciable distance into each surface of the mat body, subjecting said mat body to a roller for causing the solution to penetrate further into the interior of the mat body, moistening one surface of the mat body and then applying powdered lycopodium to the moistened surface.

5. A mat for forming a matrix comprising a lmat body formed of a plurality of layers of tissue paper and adhesive, and a layer of lycopodium on one surface acting to prevent the sticking of the mat to a form when the mat is being formed intov a matrix,

6. A mat for forming a matrix comprising a mat body of pliable material impregnated with a solution of lycopodium, and a coating of lycopodium on one of the surfaces of said body.

7. A mat for forming a matrix comprising a mat body of pliable material impregnated with an adhesive substance, and a coating of lycopodium on one of the surfaces of said body.

8. A method of producing a mat to produce a matrix consisting in subjecting a mat body to a starch solution, pressing said body after being subjected to said solution, moistening one surface of said body, and then applying lycopodium lconsisting of lycopodium.

THOMAS L. MCELROY. 

